Travelers advised on luggage safety and lost item recovery

Travelers are facing various challenges regarding lost belongings during the holiday season. In Poland, the carrier POLREGIO reported finding 637 items left on trains during the summer, including backpacks, wallets, and even a wedding suit. While 45% of these items have been returned, passengers are encouraged to contact the company's 14 regional Lost Property Offices to reclaim belongings.

To mitigate the risk of lost luggage at airports, experts from the passenger rights portal Planeclaim recommend placing a sheet of paper (A4 or A5 size) containing full contact details inside the suitcase. This serves as a backup if external tags are lost or damaged, facilitating the ‘Secondary Tracing’ process where airlines open unclaimed bags to identify owners.

Additionally, travelers are advised against using excessive ribbons, strings, or stickers on suitcases to make them stand out. Airport staff warn that such decorations can interfere with automated scanning machines, potentially triggering manual inspections that lead to delays or missed flights.